Part 42 (1/2)
”Not unless he had lighted this fire,” said the senior member solemnly. At which answer s.h.a.garach rose with a shade more prompt.i.tude than usual.
”Why do you profess to be the executor of Benjamin Arnold's will?”
”I am so styled over his own signature,” answered Hodgkins, flouris.h.i.+ng the professor's letter.
”Wasn't it proved in the probate proceedings that you were only to carry out certain minor legacies?”
”It is not becoming in me to antic.i.p.ate the decision of the honorable court in that matter.”
”As executor, then, did you try to uphold the will of your friend?”
”In my opinion as a lawyer, it cannot be upheld.”
”In my opinion as a lawyer, it can. I ask you a question. Did you make any effort to uphold the will of which you claim to have been nominated executor?”
”I satisfied myself that the task was fruitless.”
”You represented a client desirous of breaking the will at the probate proceedings, did you not?”
”The will was already broken, canceled, destroyed.”
”Do you or do you not perceive a gross indelicacy in your desperate attempt to break the will of which you say you were appointed executor, in order to retrieve the fallen fortunes of the disinherited heir?”
”I am not here to discuss my conduct with you, sir,” answered Hodgkins testily, for the cross-examiner fl.u.s.ters quickly when he becomes the cross-examined.
”When did you arrive in New York?”
”Friday evening.”
”When did you call on the Arnolds?”
”On the Arnolds?” repeated Hodgkins, as if he did not understand the question.
”On Harry Arnold, I mean?”
”Oh, Friday evening.”
”You went there directly?”
”I did.”
”They were your clients?”
”I am Mrs. Arnold's legal adviser.”
”You told Harry Arnold of your intention to call at his uncle's on the following day and open the safe?”
”I believe I announced my intention to approach the affair with expedition.”
”Did he object or suggest a postponement?”
”I cannot remember that he approved or demurred.”
”Do you mean to testify that you informed Floyd by letter the hour at which you would call?”
”I announced my general intention of calling.”
”In the same letter in which you requested him to lock the study?”
”There was only one letter. It was dispatched from New York.”
”Then how did Floyd learn of your contemplated visit?”
”I have understood that he was informed by Mrs. Arnold that afternoon.”
”From whom did you understand this?”
”From Mrs. Arnold herself,” said Hodgkins, looking toward that lady.
”You told her the hour?”
”Half-past two.”
”And Mrs. Arnold called on Floyd, I believe, at about 2:45?”
”I believe so. I am not informed as to the exact minute.”
”Was she there by appointment with you?”
”Not exactly. However, I had informed her of the time.”
”As you stated before. Then Floyd only knew of your proposed visit at second hand through Mrs. Arnold?”
”I had not informed him.”
”You might have entered and taken the will away without his knowledge, then?”
”It might have been done, though I a.s.sure you we had no such intention.”
”When did you arrive at the house?”
”At 3:45.”
”And Floyd had left a little before 3:30. He had waited for one hour, without the courtesy of an appointment from you. Then because he chose to leave the house, and did not wait upon your pleasure, you infer that he must have committed arson and procured the death of seven of his fellow-creatures. That will do.”
”Charles Checkerberry.”
A railroad conductor stepped forward to take the oath.
”What names!” said Ecks to Wye. ”It's like a census of Bedlam Proper.”